5 Things Adults Can Learn on Vacation

Vacations are the perfect excuse to escape your daily routine, dip your toes into the unknown and—in the process—learn something new. Do you spend your days buried in spreadsheets? Take a break from crunching numbers by signing up for a class where you can experiment with sculpture or dance. Burnt out on carpool duty? Trade in the keys to your minivan for a seat in an off-roading expedition. When you’re ready to enroll in a learning vacation, here are five skills you can pick up away from home.

How to take care of a sea turtle (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Get to know these charismatic creatures and learn about ongoing conservation efforts during a behind-the-scenes class at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. Aquarium staff will show you how they feed and train the turtles, and share stories from their time studying stranded turtles in the waters around Virginia Beach. Other classes include a meet-and-greet with a seal or a backstage tour of the Bay and Ocean Pavilions, which will give you a closer look at the shark tank.

How to off-road in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Asheville, North Carolina)

Learn how to drive in the mountains during an off-roading adventure in North Carolina. Photo credit: Biltmore Estate

Looking for an educational vacation with a little more speed? Go off-roading with the Land Rover Experience Driving School at the Biltmore Estate. No matter your confidence behind the wheel, there’s a way for you to test your courage here. Whether you choose to ride with an expert guide or engage in your first solo off-road expedition, you’ll feel a true sense of adventure as you steer your way through the mountains’ rugged terrain and obstacles. Advance registration is required.

How to sculpt a statue (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)

Enjoy a brief escape from Myrtle Beach’s bustling boardwalk scene at Brookgreen Gardens, about 45 minutes down the road in Murrells Inlet. Here, you can take a 3-5 day sculpting workshop at the garden’s Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Center for American Sculpture. These paid workshops are on a first-come, first-served basis and are led by nationally known sculptors. Not in town for several days? Settle for a stroll through the gardens and one of the daily animal classes at the zoo.

How to salsa (Miami, Florida)

The club scene is hot in Miami, and salsa dancing adds extra sizzle. Ready to feel the heat? Drop by Salsa Fever on Wednesdays and Fridays. This salsa school inside Yuca Lounge, an authentic Cuban restaurant and dance club, offers lessons for every skill level. Learn the art of social salsa dancing—no partner or experience necessary—with individualized instruction.

How to cook like a professional chef (Washington, D.C.)

Make new friends and pick up top chef-style skills at CulinAerie. Photo Credit: CulinAerie

Indulge your fantasy of becoming a gourmet chef in CulinAerie’s state-of-the-art kitchen in the heart of Washington, D.C. Learn to cook a range of international cuisines from chefs who studied at top culinary schools. Classes are great for couples and groups with an appetite; previous classes have included Thai Curries in a Hurry, Sushi Basics, West African Street Food and Summer Steakhouse.